Indigenous Governance (PhD)

Frequently asked questions

• How much does Indigenous Governance (PhD) cost?

  CAD 8,571 / year.

• What English score does it need?

  IELTS 6.5 overall is the score listed for this programme.

• How long is it?

  4 years, as listed by the university.

• What are the entry requirements?

  Program-specific requirements - completion of the Indigenous Governance master's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution Note: If you have not completed the Indigenous Governance MA (or equivalent), you may still be admitted to the PhD program. You will be expected to complete core courses from the MA program ( IGOV 510 , IGOV 520 , IGOV 530 , IGOV 550 and/or IGOV 570 ) with a minimum GPA of A- (7.0) to fill any gaps in your graduate training. The admissions committee will review your transcripts and assign additional required course work at that time. As part of your application, you must submit: - your CV - statement of intent (1-2 pages) - highlight relevant aspects of your background and training, describe your general research interests and how they correspond with the thematic foci of IGOV - identify an area of specialization in your statement of intent (e.g. Indigenous feminisms, Decolonial practices in social work, Indigenous environmental justice, etc.) - writing sample (maximum 30 pages) - this can be a term paper, section of your master's thesis or a published paper that best reflects your writing and analytic abilities - two assessment reports and/or letters of reference - provide names and email addresses for two (or more) references in your online application - once you submit your application, your references will automatically receive an assessment request and the option to upload a reference letter or complete an online questionnaire - we must receive your references' assessments by February 15 - transcripts Your application will be reviewed by the Indigenous Governance Application Review Committee. Ensure you meet the minimum graduate school admission requirements . You must demonstrate English language proficiency to attend UVic. Learn about language requirements , including allowable exemptions and tests. IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no section less than 6.0 (Academic IELTS only, test centre or online; IELTS Academic One Skill Retake accepted); TOEFL iBT for tests taken after 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no section less than 4.0; for tests taken before 21 January 2026: 90 overall with no section less than 20 (iBT test centre or Home Edition; MyBest Scores accepted); PTE 65 with no skill less than 60; CAEL 70 with no component below 60; MET 64 with no section less than 60; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180 with no component below 170. Test scores more than two years old are not accepted. Individual departments may set a higher standard. (Source: UVic Graduate Admissions, Language proficiency.) · English: IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0); TOEFL iBT 90; PTE Academic 65 · English test waiver: Requirement already met if English is your primary language, you hold a degree from a designated English-speaking country, or you hold a degree from a recognized institution at which the language of instruction is English. Applicants who cannot provide proof may still be considered and complete UVic's University Admission Preparation (UAP) course with a grade of at least 80%, provided the prospective academic unit is willing to admit on that condition; UAP is a 12-week program offered in January, April and September, and in an intensive four-week summer format. UVic does not accept university English preparation courses from other institutions. · Application fee: CAD 187.00 if any documents originate outside Canada; CAD 145.25 if all documents originate within Canada (payable online by credit card; the application is not processed until payment is received). Source: UVic Graduate Admissions, How to apply.

• Is there a scholarship?

  Graduate students admitted to a graduate degree programs are automatically considered for a fellowship, based on a qualifying GPA. Individual fellowship amounts may vary depending on the program. UVic Fellowship - Up to $20,000 per year (PhD) Eligibility - The minimum requirement for UVic fellowship consideration is a B+ average on the last two years of course work - To receive your payment, UVic fellowship holders must be registered in a minimum of 1.5 units of graduate level courses - Full-time registration for students registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is 1.5 units You can also work as a research or teaching assistant . Funding opportunities